Sports Briefs

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Police are investigating accusations that three Notre Dame football players and a former player raped a female student who was lured to a house with promises of a party.

The woman told investigators she was raped March 28 but waited until last Saturday to report the crime because she knew it would be a high-profile case and feared her name would be made public.

The players' names were not released because investigators have not decided whether they will be charged, St. Joseph County police Capt. Harry Seider said Wednesday.

''They are still doing the investigation and interviewing people,'' he said.

Gumgate: Gonzo says he'll chew again

PHOENIX -- Luis Gonzalez won't have to give DNA samples after all. No more gumshoe detective work is necessary.

The Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star has decided to end any controversy over the authenticity of a piece of already-been-chewed-by-Gonzo gum being sold at auction on the Internet.

A no-longer-amused Gonzalez said he would chew a new piece of gum in front of witnesses Thursday morning in Denver.

''This thing has kind of gotten out of control,'' Gonzalez said before the Diamondbacks' game at San Diego Wednesday night.

Gonzalez will send the new gum to a Tucson radio station that plans to broadcast the chewing. The station will get the gum to the top Internet bidder.

Griffey healing quickly, could return in 3-6 weeks

CINCINNATI -- Ken Griffey Jr.'s injured right knee is healing quickly and he could return to the field in 3-to-6 weeks, the Cincinnati Reds' team doctor said following a re-examination Wednesday.

There has been ''vast improvement'' in the knee since the All-Star center fielder partially tore the patella tendon and partially dislocated his kneecap during a rundown in Sunday's game against Montreal, Dr. Timothy Kremchek said.

''Junior has a full range of motion,'' Kremchek said. ''I am convinced he is right on target to return in 3-to-6 weeks.''

Griffey, who began twice-daily physical therapy sessions on Monday, was placed on the 15-day disabled list and stayed behind in Cincinnati as the Reds began a road trip in Pittsburgh.

The Reds are hoping Griffey can return with rest and rehab. If not, he would have to undergo surgery, which could sideline him for the rest of the season.

Ruben Mateo was called up from Triple-A Louisville to take Griffey's spot on the 25-man roster.

Griffey was bothered during spring training by tendinitis in the same knee.

Last year, Griffey missed most of the first three months because of a partially torn left hamstring.

The Reds also said infielder Juan Castro was playing his first game with Triple-A Louisville in Durham, N.C., on a medical rehabilitation assignment when he aggravated his strained left hamstring and left the game Wednesday. He is to be re-evaluated on Thursday in Cincinnati.